NORTH CANTON, Ohio — Daemen (2-0) secured a narrow 14-13 victory over Walsh (0-2) on Wednesday at Larry Staudt Field. 

The Wildcats' decisive third quarter, where they outscored the Cavaliers 8-3, proved crucial in the closely contested matchup. Despite a late rally from the Cavaliers, which tallied six goals in the final quarter, the Wildcats held on for the win.

IMPACT PLAYERS

• Avery Castner (Penn Yan, N.Y.) led the scoring with three goals on seven shots, including one from a free position. 
• Ella Bouley (Auburn, N.Y.) contributed with three goals and an assist, converting three of her five shots on goal. She also collected five draw controls. 
• Mikayla Myer (Geneva, N.Y.) secured the game-winning goal, finding the net with her only shot attempt. 
• Sadie Schlesselman (Lancaster, N.Y.) added two goals and an assist, successfully scoring on both of her shots.
• Defensively, Bouley and Camryn Day (Hamburg, N.Y.) each caused two turnovers, with Bouley also scooping up two ground balls.
• Molly Evans (Fulton, N.Y.) made four saves in goal, including a big one in the fourth to prevent the Cavaliers from getting another. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Walsh scored the game's first goal, but the Wildcats responded with Bouley making it 1-1 at 10:46. Following another draw control win, Schlesselman netted a crucial goal at 7:56, assisted by Shannen Calandra (Rome, N.Y.), tying the game again after the Cavaliers had taken a brief lead as the quarter ended tied at 2-2.
• In the second, the Wildcats responded swiftly to the Cavaliers' early goal with Camryn Day capitalizing on a woman-up opportunity, scoring a free position goal that leveled the score. The Wildcats maintained their momentum with Maria Salvo netting another free position shot at 9:11, briefly giving them the lead. The Cavaliers then equalized as the score was knotted at 4-4 at halftime. 
• The Wildcats surged ahead in the third quarter with an offensive display, starting with Bouley's goal at 14:38. Salvo quickly added to the lead, scoring at 13:57 to make it 6-4. Despite a goal from the Cavaliers, the Wildcats maintained momentum as Kylie Miranto (North Tonawanda, N.Y.) and Bouley scored again, extending the lead to 9-5. Schlesselman then scored, assisted by Salvo and Castner netted a free position goal to further widen the gap.
• In the fourth, the Cavaliers attempted a comeback with two early goals, but the Wildcats' defense held firm. Daemen capitalized on a woman-up opportunity, as Castner scored with an assist from Salvo at 12:28. Later, Myer added another goal for the Wildcats, assisted by Schlesselman at 4:25, maintaining a slim lead. Despite a strong offensive effort, the Cavaliers managed to keep the pressure on, scoring twice, including a woman-up goal in the final minute. However, the Wildcats' defense, bolstered by key ground ball pickups from Miranto and Bouley, helped secure the win.

GAME NOTES

• Salvo tied her career high with four points after setting it last game. 
• Schlesselman logged the first multi-goal game of her career. 
• Five players record multi-goal performances for Daemen.
• The Wildcats finished with a 24-20 advantage in shots.
• Daemen logged 11 caused turnovers and scooped up 12 ground balls in the contest.
• The Wildcats earned their first win in program history over Walsh.

UP NEXT
Daemen hosts Findlay in its home opener at 12 p.m. Sunday. It will be the Wildcats' first game at their new home, Royal Park. 

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Daemen University features the premier NCAA Division II athletics program in the Buffalo-Niagara region, sponsoring 17 intercollegiate teams. For the latest information on Daemen Athletics, follow the Wildcats via social media on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, or sign up to receive customizable news alerts, e-mail newsletters and weekly schedule alerts.

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